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Want a smooth border crossing? Don’t bring cannabis.

Published on August 2, 2024 by David Wylie

Photo: Adobe stock/the oz.

Nobody wants a bad trip—especially one where you get busted for having weed when you shouldn’t.

Canada-US border law is simple when it comes to cannabis: “Don’t bring it in. Don’t take it out.” And, no, it doesn’t matter if you’re travelling to a state where it’s legal.

“While cannabis is legal in Canada, bringing it across the border in any form, including oils containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada is a serious criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution,” says the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

“A medical prescription from a doctor does not count as Health Canada authorization.”

This includes products containing cannabis, such as edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals, and all products containing CBD.

If you travel to other countries, including the United States, with any amount of cannabis in your possession, you could be charged with a criminal offence. This applies to all countries, whether cannabis is legal there or not.

You could also be denied entry to other countries in the future.

It is your responsibility to learn about the laws, including the legal status of cannabis use and possession, in your destination country.

More tips for border travel

Other than not bringing your chronic sack, here are more useful border travel tips from the CBSA for travelling into or out of Canada:

Check border wait times and expect delays. Early mornings are the best time to cross the border to avoid wait times. The Monday of holiday long weekends tend to be the busiest. Consider an alternative port of entry with shorter wait times or less traffic.

Be prepared to declare. Declare everything you have with you upon entry. If arriving by land, you are responsible for everything inside your vehicle. If you are the operator of a boat entering Canadian waters with the intent to disembark, you are responsible for reporting your goods on board.

Travelling with children? When travelling with a child who is not your own or for whom you don’t have full legal custody, we recommend you have a consent letter from the parent or legal guardian authorizing you to travel with the child. We are always watching for missing children, and in the absence of the letter, officers may ask additional questions.

Travelling with pets?  As of August 1, 2024, there are updated documentation requirements for all dogs entering the U.S. from Canada. For more information, visit Dogs travelling to the United States. Pets must meet specific requirements to enter Canada. Review Importing and travelling with pets before leaving.